Catherine McMichael

Catherine McMichael, pianist, is a composer, arranger, performer, teacher, coach, clinician and founder of Camellia Music, which publishes much of her music. Her degrees from the University of Michigan are in piano performance and chamber music. Performing, composing and teaching comprise her professional musical life in Saginaw, Michigan. She is the pianist for the Saginaw (MI) Bay Symphony Orchestra and Ann Arbor based River Raisin Ragtime Revue, co-directs the Bay City based Bijou Theatre Orchestra, accompanies the Saginaw Choral Society, directs Bells on High at First United Methodist Church of Saginaw and occasionally music directs shows at Bay City Players Community Theater. Her compositions are represented by six publishers and appear on recordings made and programs presented world-wide by orchestras, bands, choirs, handbell and chamber ensembles of all types, soloists on many instruments and voice, performed by professional touring artists, college professors and students, avid amateurs and young musicians. Her music has a strong presence on YouTube. 

Catherine’s numerous compositions span a diverse range of styles, from neo-romantic symphonic works to eclectic mixed ensembles. Five of her works for flute have won the Best Newly Published Music award from the National Flute Association. Many of her works have premiered at international music festivals. She is also a prolific arranger for several publishers and many individuals who request her special stylistic flair. Her commitment to making chamber and ensemble music available to the young musician has inspired her to compose and publish pieces for piano solo and duet, strings, flute, harp, and handbells, many of which appear on the National Federation of Music Teachers' recommended repertoire list. She's the author of a piano method, Making Music My Own, and the very popular Triolets, which are violin and cello parts written to accompany hundreds of pieces of standard piano repertoire, including much of the Suzuki piano repertoire Catherine is available for commissions on any instrument or voice, for either original compositions or arrangements.

Catherine and her violinist husband Rod Bieber have two adult children: Meredith, Central Michigan University neuroscience graduate and world traveler, and Nathan, who holds two Masters degrees in conducting and violin performance from the University of Michigan. Gardens full of rose bushes, a discriminating cat and a devoted dog complete the menagerie.

https://www.catherinemcmichael.com/